Jerome Lewis Charged with Murder in 4-year-old Samauri Jenkins Death in DC Fire

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- A DC man was arrested and charged with murder on Friday, for a child's death in a fire on Sunday night, police said.

Jerome Calvary Lewis, 46, of Washington, was arrested and charged with second degree murder, after escaping a fire on the 2600 block of 33rd Street, police said.

Four-year-old Samauri Jenkins was pronounced dead on Tuesday, after she was pulled out of the burning building on Sunday night, police said. Police say all the people in the house, includnig the child and Mr. Lewis, are members of an extended family.

Something in the investigation forced police to rule the case a homicide on Friday.

"Once on the scene, police and fire department members were advised by family members that a female child was unaccounted for. A short time later, the female child, who was unconscious and not breathing, was located by members of the fire department," fire officials said on Sunday.

Police said they are not releasing much more about the case but they are still looking into the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

"The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation by the Arson Task Force, which includes members of MPD's Homicide Arson Squad, members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and members of the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services," police said.